eestindamisel

Eestindamisel refers to the process of Estonianizing names in Estonia. This involves changing surnames that are of foreign origin into Estonian-sounding names. This practice became particularly widespread during the first period of Estonian independence in the early 20th century, from the 1930s onward. The aim was to promote a sense of national identity and to have surnames that were perceived as more authentically Estonian.

The eestindamisel movement was largely voluntary, though societal pressure and cultural trends encouraged families to adopt Estonianized surnames. Many names were changed by simply translating the original meaning into Estonian. For instance, a surname meaning "smith" in a foreign language might be translated to "Sepp," which is the Estonian word for blacksmith. Other changes involved creating new names that sounded phonetically similar to the original or were derived from Estonian nature terms, geographical locations, or traditional Estonian names.

This process was a significant cultural phenomenon, reflecting a desire for self-determination and the strengthening of a distinct Estonian identity following centuries of foreign rule. While many families embraced the change, others chose to retain their original surnames. The legacy of eestindamisel can still be seen in the diversity of surnames found in Estonia today, with a mix of those that were Estonianized and those that were not. The practice has since declined significantly, but it remains an important aspect of Estonian national history and cultural development.